exhaust

[ ig-zawst ]

verb (used with object)

1. to drain of strength or energy, wear out, or fatigue greatly, as a person:

   I have exhausted myself working.

   Synonyms: debilitate, prostrate, enervate, tire

   Antonyms: invigorate, strengthen

2. to use up or consume completely; expend the whole of:

   He exhausted a fortune in stock-market speculation.

   Synonyms: dissipate, squander, waste

3. to draw out all that is essential in (a subject, topic, etc.); treat or study thoroughly.
4. to empty by drawing out the contents:

   to exhaust a tank of fuel oil.

   Synonyms: void

   Antonyms: fill

5. to create a vacuum in.
6. to draw out or drain off completely.
7. to deprive wholly of useful or essential properties, possessions, resources, etc.
8. Chemistry, Pharmacology. to deprive of ingredients by the use of solvents, as a drug.
9. to destroy the fertility of (soil), as by intensive cultivation.

verb (used without object)

1. to pass out or escape, as spent steam from the cylinder of an engine.

noun

, Machinery.

1. the escape of steam or gases from the cylinder of an engine.
2. the steam or gases ejected.

   Synonyms: vapor, smoke, fume

3. Also called exhaust system. the parts of an engine through which the exhaust is ejected.

exhaust

/ ɪɡˈzɔːst /

verb

1. to drain the energy of; tire out

   to exhaust someone by constant questioning

2. to deprive of resources, etc

   a nation exhausted by war

3. to deplete totally; expend; consume

   to exhaust food supplies

4. to empty (a container) by drawing off or pumping out (the contents)
5. to develop or discuss thoroughly so that no further interest remains

   to exhaust a topic of conversation

6. to remove gas from (a vessel, etc) in order to reduce the pressure or create a vacuum; evacuate
7. to remove or use up the active ingredients from (a drug, solution, etc)
8. to destroy the fertility of (soil) by excessive cultivation
9. intr (of steam or other gases) to be emitted or to escape from an engine after being expanded

noun

1. gases ejected from an engine as waste products
2. 1. the expulsion of expanded gas or steam from an engine
   2. ( as modifier )

      exhaust stroke

3. 1. the parts of an engine through which the exhausted gases or steam pass
   2. ( as modifier )

      exhaust pipe

      exhaust valve

Derived Forms

• exˈhauster, noun
• exˈhausted, adjective
• exˈhaustible, adjective
• exˌhaustiˈbility, noun
• exˈhausting, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·haust·er noun
• ex·haust·i·ble adjective
• ex·haust·i·bil·i·ty [ig-zaws-t, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• mul·ti·ex·haust noun
• non·ex·haust·ed adjective
• non·ex·haust·i·ble adjective
• pre·ex·haust verb (used with object)
• un·ex·haust·ed adjective
• un·ex·haust·ed·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhaust¹

1515–25; 1895–1900 exhaust fordef 11; < Latin exhaustus emptied out, drained out, past participle of exhaurīre

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhaust¹

C16: from Latin exhaustus made empty, from exhaurīre to draw out, from haurīre to draw, drain

Example Sentences

Still, a big mistake or a lot of bad luck could put a hole in the exhaust, damage the transfer case, or snag an important cable.

From Outside Online

Battery-powered options are also available, and these don’t emit dangerous exhaust fumes.

From Popular-Science

You could find them when you are grilling meats, you could find them out of the exhaust of a car, you could find them from smoke from the wildfires in California, you could find them in charcoal that’s left behind.

From Popular-Science

Benzene, a pollutant from automobile exhaust, is carcinogenic and linked to childhood and adult leukemia and probably lymphoma.

From Voice of San Diego

The only source of outside air was an exhaust fan in a bathroom.

From Science News

Farrell issued a ticket to an 18-year-old shipyard worker for speeding and an improper exhaust mechanism, according to the TP.

From The Daily Beast

But they have a lot more tools now, a lot more information, a lot more digital exhaust that we all have.

From The Daily Beast

He begins to flail and exhaust himself before submerging for good.

From The Daily Beast

So in addition to being able to demoralize and exhaust you, the book tour can kill you.

From The Daily Beast

You might exhaust yourself trying to please them both which is more work than you realize.

From The Daily Beast

A very slight movement of the armature disc J, therefore, suffices to open to the full extent two long exhaust passages.

From Project Gutenberg

The exhaust-valve is exactly as when it was put in, worked by a rack-and-tooth segment.

From Project Gutenberg

The steady use of the organ for an hour-and-a-half's choir rehearsal would exhaust the batteries.

From Project Gutenberg

We occupy too wide an extent of country: we exhaust our resources without profit and without necessity: we cling to dreams.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the exhaust from each port must be measured and thrusts equalized, where needed, by adjustment of great valves.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drain
• fatigue
• frazzle
• impoverish
• overwork
• sap
• tire out
• use up
• weaken
• wear out
• weary